Mozambique deportation of 40 Nigerians raises tensions

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (Nidcom) has confirmed the deportation of 40 out of 42 Nigerians arrested and locked up for weeks in Mozambique. According to the Club of Mozambique, Nidcom’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said they arrived in Nigeria in three batches of 13, 16 and 11 respectively aboard a SAA flight and an Ethiopian Airlines flight on 24, 26 and 27 March, with two of them remaining in Mozambique. The commission noted that the deportation did not follow due process. The statement described such acts as inhuman and a violation of their human rights, as they were allegedly randomly arrested, detained and deported despite having their proper documentation. Though the Mozambique authorities claimed immigration issues, documents provided by the Nigerians showed otherwise, the statement said. While Mozambican authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident, the development is likely to raise fresh concerns over the treatment of foreign nationals and the enforcement of immigration regulations in the country.